Chapter 28: Crazy Richard

"I never thought I would see you in a long time, Collin," Alessandro said, taking Xavier's hands for a handshake.

" I also didn't think I would see you, especially in Chicago" Xavier took a seat opposite Alessandro.

"Even a boss sometimes needs to clear his head. I heard of the unfortunate event that happened to your brother" he said, peering his wrinkled brown eyes into Xavier's, and all Xavier could do was nod.

Alessandro was an Italian Mafia boss who Xavier's father allied with before he died. Even with his father's death, Alessandro still showed his faithfulness to the Collin family.

"Have you finally tamed that wild dog, Richard?" Alessandro asked, watching Xavier who poured wine into his cup and handed it to him.

"He just keeps getting impossible day after day" Xavier remembered Rachael and his blood boiled. The warehouse was empty when he got there. He knew Anthony wasn't lying because he didn't have the guts to. Richard must have seen it coming, that's why he moved her as quickly as possible.

"His father, Luigi, was much more different. He should have thought very well before handing over his confraternity to him. Now he thinks it's a field for fun and games"

"He has my woman," Xavier blurted out.

"Hmmm" Alessandro was taken aback. "You love that woman?"

"Does it matter?"

"It does. At least we will know if she is worth the risk. Richard can be crazy. He isn't called big fox for nothing"

Xavier gritted his teeth. "I will break him with my bare hands and he will be forced to drop that title"

Alessandro humphed as he took a slow sip from his glass, making a slurpy sound. He then raised and pointed his finger at Xavier. "Those eyes. You are in a rage. You love this woman"

"No I don't" Xavier leaned back in his seat. "She is my therapist and I can't leave her in the hands of someone like Richard," he pointed out even though deep down he knew he just lied to both Alessandro and himself.

Alessandro noticed his deceit but chose not to push further. "What do you intend on doing?"

"Track him and kill him" Xavier spat truthfully.

Alessandro chuckled. " I know you and you are not the type to speak without thinking, but you just did. You do realize if you kill Richard, his alliance; Luca and Marco will retaliate" he said and watched as Xavier gulped his drink. He then puffed out distressed air from his mouth.

"Instead of killing him, strike him with something he won't forget"

"Like what?"

"Threatening him with his loved ones." Immediately those words left Alessandro's lips, Xavier laughed unamusingly.

" Richard doesn't have any loved on"

"A man can't be in this world alone. He has someone, but he is good at hiding it unlike you"

Xavier sighed in frustration. All he wanted to do was set Rachael from Richard. He regretted not protecting her when she was clearly an easy target. The only emotions he could feel at that point were pain and outrage and he didn't know how not to kill Richard the moment he found him.

*********

Her banging head woke her abruptly from her deep slumber. She looked around and for the first time in 2 days, she could see the sunlight that crept from the curtain creek of the huge window. The room was a big exquisite room. Too good for someone who was being held, hostage.

Rachael got an adrenaline boost and stood up immediately, but regretted that. The room spun, causing her to fall back on her bed. It was the effect of the strong sedative Richard injected into her.

When she had regained herself, she stood up once more and ran towards the door. How stupid she was to think Richard would keep her in an unlocked room. She twisted the knob with great force, praying it opened, but nothing happened. When frustration kicked in, she began to hit the door with all her might. She cried, cursed, and screamed as loud as she could. Nothing happened despite her pleas and she found herself slipping to the floor as tears gathered in her eyes.

"Xavier" she called out amidst a whimper. She thought of her mother and her heart sank. Surely she was with Andrew. Probably when he didn't find her in the club, he went home to check. For her. The case must have been reported to the police. But what if they think she is trying to run away from the law? All these thoughts shot through her and she couldn't help but cry more.

She thought of how long he would keep her here until he gets tired of her and finally kills her.

"Damn you Richard!" she screamed at the top of her voice, but soon regretted it when she heard the doorknob shake.

Her eyes widened as she ran away from the door to her bedside, looking for any weapon to use for her defense, but the room was empty. The only thing in the "beautiful room" was a king-sized bed.

A scowl appeared on her face when the door opened and revealed Richard who had a grin on his face as he entered the room fully.

The anger that she had been piling up, made her lunge for him. She began to hit him as hard as she could, throwing punches, slaps at his face, and kicking him incessantly, but that was for a short while. Richard got angry and grabbed her forcefully by the shoulder and pinned her to the wall. He was red with anger. His eyes were fierce, sending a cold shiver down her spine. All of sudden, she regretted ever attacking him because he looked like he was about to devour her.

"Why are you so difficult?" he yelled in the face, causing her to shut her eyes as she trembled.

"Do you want to go back to the straps?" he asked and she shook her head negatively.

"Answer me!" He barked at her in anger.

"No," she whimpered.

"Now you will be a good girl and be on your best behavior or I'll be forced to take you back to the warehouse," he said to her and she nodded incessantly.

When he finally let go of her, she had the chance to breathe. She slipped to the floor and sat there, not daring to even cry. The fear of him yelling at her again prevented her from doing so.

He walked to the window and opened the curtains, letting the morning sun evade the room fully. Then he turned to look at her. The angry look he had earlier on, left him and a grin replaced it.

"Do you like it, Rachael?"

Rachael was surprised by that question. Did he expect her to scream for joy at how excited she was to be here or throw hugs and kisses at him for holding her against her will?

When her silence persisted, the grin on his face turned into a frown. "I asked a question," he said coldly and Racheal gulped.

"It's better than the warehouse," she mumbled in a gravelly, strained voice. The outcome of her voice surprised her. That was what fear could do.

"I'm glad you like" he smirked at her.